​Green Goblin From 'Spider-Man'

​Green Goblin From 'Spider-Man'

Marvel

There are a handful of notable villains in Marvel’s Spider-Man series, but the Green Goblin stands out because he is purely EVIL. His first appearance was in 1964’s The Amazing Spider-Man #14, and is most recognized in the film adaptations played by Willem Dafoe and Chris Cooper. The Green Goblin (a.k.a Norman Osborn) is the father of Harry, Peter Parker/Spider-Man’s close friend. But that bit doesn’t affect the soulless villain, as he befriended Spider-Man and his family before murdering his first love—Gwen Stacy. It’s definitely wicked, but oddly commendable. It doesn’t help that he’s a slick businessman when he takes off that frightening green mask. —Bianca Gracie, Associate Writer

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Poison Ivy From 'Batman'

Poison Ivy From 'Batman'

DC Comics

I first fell for Poison Ivy when watching Batman: The Animated Series and was enamored by her unique spin on being evil. Sure, she had a maniacal and magical obsession with plants and botany, but she also had another superpower: her sexuality. From her ability to seduce Batman and the way she could make the hero fall for her, for the first time I was seeing a woman use her sexiness for her own power—it wasn't naughty, it wasn't something I needed my eyes to be covered from, it was just powerful. It was something I would come to respect, cherish and champion for my future female obsessions like Madonna, Christina Aguilera and a slew of female pop stars. —Jeff Benjamin, Features Editor

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Negan From 'The Walking Dead'

Negan From 'The Walking Dead'

Image Comics

TV watchers are just now about to get into what makes the leather-jacketed Negan such a memorable, infuriating villain. While never a particularly sympathetic character in the graphic novel, his existence has been as fascinating to behold as it has been heartbreaking and book-throwing. And just his inventiveness with the word fuck is so legendary. —Zach Dionne, News Editor

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Loki From 'Thor'

Loki From 'Thor'

Marvel

If you were always in the shadow of your all-powerful and heavily worshiped “God of Thunder” brother, you would probably be an antihero too.

First, in comics as an Underworld god, Loki is now portrayed as the Frost Giant who was adopted by Odin of Asgard out of pity (and because he had slain Loki’s father in combat, among other things) and was raised among Odin’s biological son, Thor, who was valued greatly by the community of Asgardians. That must've been difficult. Therefore, I have nothing by love for Loki. When life hands you Thor, you try to live in your own light. —Lacroix Scott, Director of Digital Analytics

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Mr. Freeze From 'Batman'

Mr. Freeze From 'Batman'

DC Comics

Shout-out to Victor Fries and his undying devotion to his cryogenically frozen wife, the only reason he is obsessed with putting the world on ice. Behind the “Chill out, Gotham!” one-liners and overwhelmingly gnarly freeze gun is desperation, heartbreak and a deep knowledge of cryogenics. Even Gucci Mane isn’t this icy. —Jason Lipshutz, Deputy Editor

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Mystique From 'X-Men'

Mystique From 'X-Men'

Marvel

The power to manipulate and be anyone you please is a true gift... when used for the greater good, of course. There are definitely a few moments when I wish I could have the ability to be someone else.

Raven, Magneto’s right-hand woman (in the films) or as we are more familiar with, Mystique, is a total badass. She has the skill to shape shift, mimic anyone’s appearance and voice…um, dope! Apart from that the bold villain is ageless, beautiful in any form and super powerful. Although her background and age are a complete mystery, it makes the great physique, yellow-eyed and blue complexioned mutant intriguing. —Amissa Pitter, Web Content Manager

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Light Yagami From 'Deathnote'

Light Yagami From 'Deathnote'

Viz Media

Is there anything better than an anti-hero? Yes, an anti-hero who goes rogue and becomes a full-fledged villain. In the extremely popular 2003 manga (and 2006 anime) series Death Note, average teenage boy Light Yagami stumbles upon a mysterious—and dangerous—notebook. The notebook (conveniently misplaced in the human world by a devious god of death) allows him to kill any person in any way simply by writing it down. Initially, Light tests it out by writing the names of convicted criminals, but soon becomes drunk with power. His quest to use the book to help make the world a better place soon takes a turn. Light’s vision of what’s “right” becomes questionable and he even uses his newfound power to kill innocent people to protect his identity and stay out of trouble. Throughout the story you’re not sure if you should root for Light to get away with it or for him to get caught. The Death Note comic and anime series have become so popular that Netflix is producing an American live-action version set to debut in 2017. —Mark Sundstrom, Senior Web Producer

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Magneto From 'X-Men'

Magneto From 'X-Men'

Marvel

The X-Men team’s arch-rival is so fascinating because, as crystallized by the sympathetic portrayals of Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender in the film adaptations, they’re really not bad guys, just guys with philosophical differences when it comes to mutant-human coexistence. Villains are always more intriguing whenever their evil tendencies are not cartoonish, and Max Eisenhardt is simply a crusader without the patience for civil disobedience. Plus, his ability to control magnetic fields, and his helmet, are really, really cool. —Jason Lipshutz, Deputy Editor

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Marie L’Angelle From 'Preacher'

Marie L’Angelle From 'Preacher'

Vertigo/DC Comics

In Spectre, Christoph Waltz tells James Bond he's "the author of all your pain.” Same concept applies for Jesse Custer's grandmother, the twisted, ancient woman who never paused to throw a developmental hurdle or an emotional nuke into her grandson's childhood and even early adulthood. Totally unchecked, she sucks every drop of joy and light out of his life, punishes him with weeks in an underwater coffin (no food, water or respite, although she at least leaves a tube for air), and forces him to preach the word of God. —Zach Dionne, News Editor

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The Riddler From 'Batman'

The Riddler From 'Batman'

DC Comics

This DC comic supervillian was introduced to the world in 1948's Detective Comics #140. But I witnessed his manic magic in the 1995 film, Batman Forever, where The Riddler (played by funny guy Jim Carrey) brought absurd wackiness and fun that contrasted the graveness of Batman. He’s incredibly clever and uses genius-worthy riddles as clues for his crimes, and is also wildly full of himself. Aside from The Riddler’s wisecracks, the villain is a sharp dresser who frequently rocks fitted chemical-green suits topped with a bowler hat. He’s also one of very few to figure out the Caped Crusader’s secret identity, and watching The Riddler taunt him with that fact is very entertaining. —Bianca Gracie, Associate Writer

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Lando Calrissian From 'Star Wars'

Lando Calrissian From 'Star Wars'

Star Wars (Marvel)

Cloud City’s most popular resident and Han Solo fren-emy is one of my favorite Star Wars villains, simply because Lando rediscovers his conscience and saves the day. Despite being cuckolded into supporting the Dark Side during the hostile takeover of Cloud City (and kinda selling out Solo to Boba Fett), he later rights his wrongs by springing into action by freeing Leia, C-3PO and Chewie. Then, he helps Leia free Luke after losing his hand to their father—YIKES. Han later returns the favor by saving Lando from being sand worm lunch. This is why you never turn your back on a friend (or hope your friend has redeeming qualities). —Lacroix Scott, Senior Manager of Digital Analytics

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Dodge From 'Locke & Key'

Dodge From 'Locke & Key'

IDW

This generation-spanning, shape-shifting baddie looming over Joe Hill's graphic novel opus is so many vile things at once. He's a seductive monster that preys on children, a high school bully with predator's eyes and a douchey lip ring/soul patch combo, someone who takes joy in terrifying others, in killing randomly, in being emotionally and eventually physically abusive to people he's close with. The kicker's that his real form, his true mission, is more evil than all those combined. —Zach Dionne, News Editor